Associations of social isolation with sociodemographic aspects and health indicators in Brazilian middle-aged and older adults: ELSI-Brazil
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of social isolation and its associations with sociodemographic and health indicators in Brazilian middle-aged and older adults recruited from households. Methods: A cross-sectional study of baseline data (2015–2016) of 7886 Brazilian adults aged 50 years and...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Geriatrics, Gerontology and Aging |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cdn.publisher.gn1.link/ggaging.com/pdf/v18209.pdf |
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| Summary: | Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of social isolation and its associations with sociodemographic and health indicators in Brazilian middle-aged and older adults recruited from households. Methods: A cross-sectional study of baseline data (2015–2016) of 7886 Brazilian adults aged 50 years and older from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) was conducted. Social isolation was the dependent variable, as defined by living arrangement, frequency of contact with children, relatives, and friends, and degree of participation in social activities within the community. The independent variables were sociodemographic aspects, health-related behaviors, and health status. Associations between social isolation and independent variables were estimated using Poisson regression analysis. Results: The prevalence ratio (PR) of high level of social isolation was 23.13%. Significant positive associations were observed between high level of social isolation and male sex (PR 1.27; 95%CI 1.16–1.40); being 70 to 79 years old (PR 1.22; 95%CI 1.07–1.39) or 80 years or older (PR 1.56; 95%CI 1.32–1.85); having no formal education (PR 3.15; 95%CI 2.69–3.68) or having a maximum of 4 years (PR 2.11; 95%CI 1.82–2.46) or 5 to 8 years of formal education (PR 1.54; 95%CI 1.30–1.84); fair self-rated health (PR 1.25; 95%CI 1.12–1.39); depressive symptoms (PR 1.22; 95%CI 1.07–1.40); and poor-quality diet (PR 1.37; 95%CI 1.19–1.58). Fair sleep quality was negatively associated with social isolation (PR 0.87; 95%CI 0.78–0.98). Conclusions: The group most at risk for social isolation comprises men, aged 70 or older, with low educational attainment, fair self-rated health, and an unhealthy diet. Future research should use longitudinal study designs to investigate causal relationships and develop interventions for older adults who are socially isolated. |
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| ISSN: | 2447-2123 |